The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) has said today that the UK Government’s decision to recommend face masks in secondary school next month will have a “devastating effect” on deaf children.
The comments came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his “roadmap” out of the third national lockdown in the House of Commons this afternoon.
In a statement, Ian Noon, Head of Policy at NDCS, said that the goalposts on face coverings “had moved yet again”.
“Public health must take priority, but bringing face masks into classrooms will have a devastating effect on deaf children’s studies, mental health and ability to take part in lessons.
“The Government cannot make an announcement and expect this to be enough. It must move quickly to show exactly how it will guarantee deaf children can still access their lessons.
“We cannot have a situation where thousands of deaf children and young people are unable to understand their teacher, leaving many with little point in even attending class.
“The future of their education is at stake and the clock has already started,” he said.
Although not mandatory, the UK Government advises that the use of face coverings is extended to indoor spaces such as classrooms “for a limited period” if it’s not possible to adhere to social distancing at two metres.
The advice also applies to those in further and higher education.
By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.
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Tim
February 23, 2021
Schools shouldn’t be reopening. It’ll likely cause a third wave and many deaths. That’s according to SAGE.
Mr B. D. Rawlinson
February 23, 2021
Yet again policy hasn’t been thought through with respect to those who rely on lipreading! They’re not even second class citizens, not worthy of consideration, but will teachers who have pupils in mainstream schools in their classes do the honourable thing and not wear a mask that impedes a child’s ability to engage in the class, will clear masks be made available?
The conversation seems to be geared towards those in roles like teachers, but what about the other aspect is not just the teechers but the fellow pupils, what is happening there?